My Sun Conure

[Zoeys]

Just turned 2, I've had her since she was a few months old. The past few months, visitors to my home have increased. Before, as long as visitors did not approach her cage, she was fine. But now, she won't shut up, and is ear piercing loud. She also will hang from the side of her cage.

She nibbles on my face, hand, etc through the cage. When I open the cage, she will approach my hand and nibble on it, however for a limited amount of time.

She has a jungle talk machine and only uses the 'hello' and 'I love you' buttons. She knows when she wants to use each, and every night will call for me if I'm not visible for a period of time.

But, guests don't want to come over, or stay very long due to her being so loud. Any ideas on what is going on? I'm not sure if she is upset (it's not just one visitor), or she thinks she is socializing.......

 

[alcmene]

I have no clue, but am watching this thread with interest

 

[Squirt]

Hormonal maybe??? I think Suns reach sexual maturity around 2 years old.

 

[Zoeys]

I moved her cage from the side of the dining room that borders the bar to the kitchen thinking that maybe if visitors didn't pass so closely to her, she would feel 'safer', to the outside corner where nobody goes and it hasn't made a difference. So I have cleared a spot in my bedroom and will be moving her into there, to see if that makes a difference.

I haven't had the need to disciple her yet, but have covered her cage when she is being ear piercing loud when visitors come over and that works for about a half hour, then she starts in again.

I just wish I knew what was bothering her, or if this is just going to be her personality. I have found that when she starts being so loud, if I walk over to the cage and stand by her, she quiets down. But as soon as I move away she starts in again. Makes it hard to visit.....

 

[riddick07]

Does she like to talk to visitors? She could be seeking attention from them or trying to monopolize your time. If you move the cage somewhere where you can close the door when she's being too loud with visitors and then take her out on a play stand where she can see everyone when she is being quiet she may learn being quiet is better for her. I'm not sure if that would work but its probably worth a try. I've never had this issue but we don't get many visitors except my uncle whom the cockatoo has a crush on...

 

[Zoeys]

She does talk to visitors when they first come in, with her 'hello' button which they always talk back to her for a bit. But then once the humans start talking and interacting, she starts calling, and gets louder and won't stop. I've wondered if she is wanting more attention from the visitors....... She isn't at a point yet where she will get on my finger even in the cage. I've been trying, and she will nibble on my finger, but won't hop on. I do have a playstation for her, once she gets to that point.

She has recently started to mimic my 'what', which is what I do when she pushes her hello button and I'm within sight of her.

My other sun I obtained as a rehome, and he was already hand/shoulder trained, so after I gained his trust he would spend evenings on my shoulder while I went about my business. And then would fly back to his cage when he was done socializing. I wish I could get Zoey to that point, that might solve this issue. I hate to 'banish' her to the bedroom, but she is really loud and you can't have a conversation.

It's interesting because I bought a house last March, and have been busy doing remodels on it. Now that I'm done, and friends are coming over again she has started this. But before I purchased the house, I had the same amount of visitors and it wasn't an issue. I've also had several contractors over and that hasn't been an issue. This is totally new behavior for her.